What Are You Full Of?
Dear Friends,
Some folks are full of hurt and pain. Others are full of bitterness and resentment. There are even people who are full of . . . themselves and the prideful self-deception of thinking they’re just fine because “they’re perfect.”
- James says that our tongues can be full of deadly poison.
- Peter says we can have eyes full of adultery and lust.
- John says the end times will be filled with darkness.
- Solomon says we can be full of weariness.
- The Bible says we can be full of trouble, full of turmoil, full of youthful vigor, full of sorrow, full of words, full of shame, full of light, full of greed, full of cursing and deceit, full of children (quiver), full of guilt, full of joy and contentment . . . and on and on and on.
- Heck, some people are full from a recently eaten meal!
Whatever it is . . . we are all full of something.
Now, some of you might be thinking that you’re not full. You’re empty and lonely and lacking . . . I would submit to those folks that they are full – just not full of anything chosen. How about you?
What are you full of?
Please let me make my point with a question:
When David writes in Psalm 23
“my cup runneth over”
where was he?
Well, let’s take a look:
Psalm 23:5
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Answer: When David’s cup was overflowing – HE WAS IN THE PRESENSE OF HIS ENEMIES! He was in a bad way. Things were not going well. Yet, somehow he managed to have a cup that was not only full, but overflowing!
How did this happen? The first verses of Psalm 23 give us the answer:
- David was watered and fed by his Shepherd.
- David trusted his Shepherd with all his needs.
- David followed his Shepherd.
- David submitted to his Shepherd.
David’s song here gives us a beautiful picture of a helpless sheep trusting its’ life to the care of the Good Shepherd. I pray that we as believers will trust God in the same way. Even in the presence of our enemies – the struggles and temptations and fears we face every day. The Bible says that David found a way to “refresh himself in the Lord.” Paul, the great apostle, says that we must “keep on being filled” with the Holy Spirit.
Who or What will fill you up?
Immaturity says: “I need, I need.”
Maturity says: “I give, I give.”
Let me tell you that you cannot give out if you’re empty. You must be full . . . and overflowing. Let me re-phrase that: You will give out regardless – but what are you giving out? Yourself? Your own strength? Or, are you giving out Jesus? Are you giving out grace? Too many of us try to give out when we’re empty of the goodness of God. That’s a sure-fire path to burnout.
I encourage you today to trust God to fill you with Him and see Him work through you in awesome ways – no matter what your circumstances! Here are a few verses to spend time in God’s Presence and to meditate on . . . in order to “get full.”
Love you guys,
Steve 🙂
Ephesians 4:16
16 He makes the whole body (church) fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Acts 6:8
8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.
Acts 11:24
24 for he (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith.
1 John 2:28
28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.
Psalm 33:5
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
Psalm 71:8
8 My mouth is full of praise and honor to You all day long.
Isaiah 6:3
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Isaiah 11:9
9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.
Isaiah 6:3
3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Acts 2:28
28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’